Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has faulted President William Ruto’s proposal to exempt Kenyans earning below Ksh30,000 from Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax, terming it a political manoeuvre rather than a sincere effort to ease citizens’ economic burden.
Speaking in Trans-Nzoia County on Saturday, Natembeya said the Kenya Kwanza administration was attempting to portray itself as fixing a crisis it had created through earlier tax hikes. He argued that the proposed tax relief is being framed as a goodwill gesture at a time when political realignments are beginning ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The governor questioned why young Kenyans, particularly Gen Z protesters, lost their lives during demonstrations against high taxes and the rising cost of living, only for the government to later suggest it now has the fiscal space to reduce taxes. He said the move undermines the government’s earlier justification for increased taxation.
Natembeya described the proposal as a vote-seeking strategy rather than a sustainable solution to the economic struggles facing low-income earners.
Source: Newshub
Speaking in Trans-Nzoia County on Saturday, Natembeya said the Kenya Kwanza administration was attempting to portray itself as fixing a crisis it had created through earlier tax hikes. He argued that the proposed tax relief is being framed as a goodwill gesture at a time when political realignments are beginning ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The governor questioned why young Kenyans, particularly Gen Z protesters, lost their lives during demonstrations against high taxes and the rising cost of living, only for the government to later suggest it now has the fiscal space to reduce taxes. He said the move undermines the government’s earlier justification for increased taxation.
Natembeya described the proposal as a vote-seeking strategy rather than a sustainable solution to the economic struggles facing low-income earners.
Source: Newshub